At supper they talkedtalkwith him perfunctorily , and covertly sneeredsneerbecause he sprinkledsprinklehis food liberally with cayenne and his speech with Spanish words pronouncedpronouncewith soft , slurredslurvowels that made them sound unfamiliar , and against which his English contrasted sharply with its crisp , American enunciation .
Mr. Hilbery here interposedinterposeso far as Denham was concerned , and talkedtalka great deal of sense about the solicitors ’ profession , and the changes which he had seen in his lifetime .